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PIA News Service - Saturday, December 1, 2012

Feature: Zinc deficiency determined in selected
population groups

By Celina Ann Z. Javier

Zinc is an important mineral needed by the body.
Its main function in our body is for growth and development, and also for
proper immune function. Aside from these, it also plays a role in wound healing
and normal sense of taste.

A deficiency in zinc can cause many problems
because of its many functions in the body. Some symptoms of the deficiency
include hair loss, growth retardation and loss of sense of taste and smell.
These symptoms can vary from person to person.

Little is known about the zinc status or the
magnitude of zinc deficiency in the Filipino population.

Because of this, a study was done by the Food
and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology
(FNRI-DOST) to know the risk of zinc deficiency among the Filipino population.
Serum zinc was used to determine the zinc status of the population because it
is known as the best biomarker for zinc.

The study aimed to determine the zinc levels and
magnitude of deficiency among selected population groups like infants and
preschool children six months to five years old, female adolescents 13-19 years
old, elderly males and females 60 years old and over, and pregnant women.

Based on the results, the prevalence of zinc
deficiency was 21.6 and 20.6 percent, for infants and preschoolers, as well as
female adolescents, respectively. The prevalence among pregnant women was 21.5
percent. The elderly males had the highest prevalence at 33.6 percent, while
the elderly females had 24.5 percent prevalence.

The prevalence of zinc deficiency was of high
magnitude at equal or more than 20 percent among the selected population
groups. Of all the population groups included in the study, the elderly had the
highest prevalence of zinc deficiency.

The zinc status of these population groups is a
public health problem. It must be ensured that the daily nutrient requirement
for zinc is always met to avoid metabolic disorders mentioned.

Based on the Recommended Energy and Nutrient
Intakes (RENI) for Filipinos developed by the FNRI-DOST, each age group has a
different requirement for zinc every day.

It is important that the requirement is met to
prevent zinc deficiency.

But the absorption of zinc can be inhibited by
high concentration of fiber and phytates. Fiber is found mainly in fruits and
vegetables. On the other hand, phytates are common in legumes and nuts. This
compound can bind zinc, thereby inhibiting its absorption.

Strict vegetarians can possibly be at risk for
zinc deficiency because of excessive intake of vegetables.

A well-balanced diet consumed in recommended
amounts can provide the daily requirements not only for zinc, but for all the
nutrients needed by the body.